Top lift fastening means for shoe heels



Aug- 23, 1932 L. BENNINGFIELD 1,872,648

' TOP LIFT FASTENTNG MEANS FOR SHOE HEELS Filed-oct. 15, 1931 Patented Aug. 23, 1932 UNITED STA Lamme LEONARD BENNINGFIELD, OF oni/.uiteenV OKLAHOMA TOP LIFT FASTEMNGMEANS non SHOE finE'Ls Application mea october 15, ieai. sefiai N59. 569,081.

This invention relates to shoes and more particularly to a means for securing top lifts to heels. i

Briefly stated, one of the important features of the invention resides in the provision of `simple means by which a top lift may be quickly and neatly applied to the heel of a shoe without the possibility of splitting 'the heel, it being noted in this connection-that attempts to apply top lifts to the high heels of ladies shoes frequently result in splitting the heels.

The invention will further be found to provide a simple means by which the top lift when applied is securely held in place so that squeaking or rattling of the same is prevented and the accidental loss of the top lift is avoided. Y

The invention also contemplates simple and easily operated means'by which a top lift attached to a heel in accordance with this in-` vention may be easily removed for replacement purposes without damageto the heel of the shoe. Y

151 further object of the invention is to provide a top lift attaching means of the kind al# luded to which is of durable construction, capable of application to a number of diEerent kinds of shoes and which is cheap to manufacture. 'Y

@ther objects and advantages will be ap-` parent during the course of the following description In the accompanying drawing, forming a part of this application and in which like nul merals are employed to designate like parts throughout th-e same,

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a heel in which the top lift thereof is secured to the body of the heel with the aid of my improved top lift attaching means.

Figure 2 is a vertical transverse sectional view taken on line 22 of Figure 1, the view being taken in the direction of the arrows,

Figure 3 is a vertical transverse sectional view taken on line 3-3of Figure 1,' the view being taken in the direction of the arrows,

Y Figure 4 is a bottom plan view of a 4heel equipped with a heel plate embodied in the invention, l f

Figure 5 is a plan view with an attaching plate forming a part of the invention,

Figure@ is plate and the trating a separated without dama Figure 7 is aperspective of ofa top lift equipped -a perspective of the attaching heel plate interlocked andV illusmeans by which these partsmay be ging the heel,

a heel plate ein bodied in the invention,

Figure 8 isa perspective of' an attaching plater forming apart ofthe invention, Y

Figure 9 is a detail sectional view through a slightly modified Y Figure 10 is a detail l view through a low" heel held in place with the aid of the imlift is tacliedtothe heel,

Figure 12is a-perspective of the top lift shown shown in Figure Y10, the

fform of invention.

ongitudinal sectional shoe in'which the top provide top lift attaching means embodied in this invention,

Figure 11'is a perspective of the heel shown in Figure 10,

the' heel plate being shown atattaching plate being applied to the top lift.

pecific description, ref er` Figures 1 to 8 inclusiye, y

connection with vThe heel 15 of a ladys shoel may be' provided at the outer end thereo outline Yas. the lower end of the heel secured thereto through propriate. fastening devices is designated by vided f vwith a plate v16 having the saine and the ,medium of ap 18. The top lift the numeral 2O and is proon the inner side thereof with a substantially rectangular at erably of spring metal portions thereof vbent tr ing or otherwise' to define attaching. leaves 24E and 26. Figures land taching plate 22 prefand having the end ansversely by stamp- 6 illustrate that the attaching leaves 26 are substantially V-shaped in cross-section and are adapted to be wedged through the transversely extending parallel openings 28 and- 80`inthe heel that the same eX of the' lt will be seen and 26 are exten plane norma plate 16 and tend across the maj or portion plate in which thesame are formed.

that the attaching leaves 24: ded at acute rangles to the of-the platew16 and 22 and that the l distance between the outer edges of Vliar cooperation between the leaves is greater than the distance between the outer Walls of the slots 28 and 30 so that when the leaves are forced through the slots, the inherent tendency of the leaves to move outward will cause the free ends of the same to engage the inner surface of the heel plate 16 and thereby lock the top lift in place. The heel 15 is shown to be provided with approximately V-shaped sockets for the more or less snug reception of the attaching leaves 24 and 26 although, it is clear that suiicient space must be provided to allow the leaves to spring outward into what might be said to be locking engagement with the heel pla-te 16as shown in Figure 1.

In carrying out the .invention the attaching leaves 24 and 26 are wide enough to engage opposite ends of the slots 28 and 30 respectively through which the same extend so that when the top lift is applied it is held against shifting.

Also, it is illustrated in Figures 5 and 8 that the plate 22 is provided at opposite edges of the V-shaped leaf 26 with short spring arms 32 corrugated transversely7 to form shoulders `forY pressure contact with the heel plate 16 and therebymaintain a constant pressure relation between the lea-ves 24 and 26 and the inner side of the heel plate 16. In other Words, the attaching leaves 24 and 26 and the spring arms 32 have pressure engagement with opposite sides of the heel plate 16 with the result that looseness, rattling, er squeaking on the part of the top lift and the attaching means therefor are avoided. y

With reference to Figure 1, it will be seen that the body of the attaching plate 22 is fitted in a depression in the top lift 2O and that the edge of the heel plate 16 is the only part of the attaching means that is exposed to view, and this might be said to appear in the nature of an ornamental band. However, it is entirely within the skill of those acquainted with this art to provide for the concealment of the heel plate if preferred.

Of course, as a preliminary to the application of the top'lift, the attaching plate is secured to the top litt through the medium of fastening devices as illustrated and after the heel plate 16 has been secured to the heel 16 provided, of course, it has notv already been attached to the heel, the attaching leaves 24 and 26of the attaching plate carrying the top lift are forced through the slots 28 and 30, respectively of the heel plate 16 so that thefree ends of the attaching leaves may flatly Contact with what might be said to be the inner surface of the heel plate 16.

With the attaching leaves 24 and 26 thus eiitended through the slots 28 and 30 the top lift 20 is securely held in place and the pecuthe spring arms 32 and the attaching leaves as previously described, holds the top lift firmly in place.

If, as a result of wear it is desired to renew the top lift, it is simply necessary to force a suitable tool such as a screw driver or a pointed instrument between the top lift and the attaching plate 22 to detach the top lift from the attaching plate. Now, to detach the attaching plate 22 from the heel plate 16, it is simply necessary to extend the pointed end of an instrument 36 of any suitable nature through the notches 38 in the side Walls oi the slots and press the adjacent spring leaves inward so that the same may pass out through the slots 28 and 30. This may be performed without damage to the original heel portion 15 and in a highly convenient and expeditious manner. The outer Wall of the transverse slot 28 ,may be provided With a plurality of notches 38 providing a means by which an. instrument may be engaged at spaced points with the attaching leaves 24.

lVhen the attaching plate 22' has thus been disconnected from the heel plate 16 it is a simple matter to tack or otherwise secure the same to a new top lift and re-apply the attaching plate in the manner disclosed.

In the form of the invention illustrated in Figure 9 the attaching' plate 40 is provided with a pair ot transverse slots 42 to receive the attaching leaves 44 an d the outer walls of the slots are provided with what might be said to be shoulders 46 for engagement by the free ends of the attaching plate. In this form of invention, the heel plate 40 is shown to have enough thickness to give the transverse slots 42 a depth suiiicient for the complete reception of the attaching leaves 44.

Figures 10, 11 and 12 illustrate the application of the invention in connection with a low heeled slice for use by men, women or children and the numeral 50 designates a heel having a litt 52 detachably secured thereto through the medium of the improved top lift attaching means. By way of specific description it is pointed out that the heel section 50 is provided with a heel plate 54 having transverse openings 56 adapted for the passage of the V-shaped attaching spring leaves 58 formed at the ends of an attaching plate 60, the attaching leaves 58 being V- shaped in cross-section and having an inherent resiliency suliicient to urge the outer terminals thereof outward into contact with the inner surface o the heel plate 54 so that the top lift 52 is securely held in place. Lilie in the form of invention shown in Figures 1 to 9 inclusive, the attaching plate 60 is preferably embedded in the top lift so that the same is concealed from view when the top lift is applied.

Figure 11 illustrates that the outer walls of the transverse slots 56 are provided withvshaped notches 62 corresponding to the notches 38 and adapted for the passage of a pointed instrument by which the attaching llf) leaves may be disconnected from the heel plate.

Vith reference to the foregoing description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, it will be apparent that the invention provides a simple means by which a top lift may be simply snapped into place and when applied will remain firmly in position and be held against squeaking or rattling and when it is desired to renew the top lift, it is simply necessary to detach the top lift itself from the attaching plate therefor after which the attaching plate may be disconnected from the heel plate in the manner described so that a new top lift may be connected to the attaching lift.

I-Iaving thus described the invention, what is claimed is:

l. In a shoe, a heel section having sockets extending transversely thereof, a heel plate having transverse slots registering with said sockets, a top lift, and an attaching plate secured to said top lift and with attaching leaves approximately V-shaped in cross section and adapted to extend through said slots and into said sockets to engage the free ends of the attaching leaves with the inner side .of said heel plate, one end of said attaching plate being provided at opposite edges of one of said attaching leaves with spring arms corrugated transversely to define pressure elements engaging the outer surface of said heel plate and thereby cooperating with said attaching leaves in holding the top lift against shifting, the edges of said attaching leaves being engaged with the end of said slots to assist in holding the top lift against shifting.

2. In a shoe. a heel section having sockets extending transversely thereof, a heel plate having transverse slots registering with said sockets, a top lift, and an attaching plate secured to said top lift and with attaching leaves approximately V-shaped in cross section and adapted to extend through said slots and into said sockets to engage the free ends of the attaching leaves with the inner side of said heel plate, one end of said attaching leaves with spring arms corrugated transversely to define pressure elements engaging the outer surface of said heel plate and thereby cooperating with said attaching leaves in holding the top lift against shifting.

3. In a shoe, a heel having an outer end provided with transverse sockets, a heel plate provided with transverse openings registering with said sockets, a top lift and an attaching plate secured to said top lift and having the terminal portions thereof provided with spring leaves substantially V-shaped in cross-section and adapted to extend through said slots to allow the ends of said leaves to flatly contact with the inner surface of said heel plate, the walls of said slots being provided with V-shaped notches for the passage of a pointed instrument into engagement with said leaves to disengage the leaves from the inner surface of'said heel plate.

4. In a shoe, a heel having an outerl end provided with transverse sockets, a heel plate provided with transverse openings registering with said sockets, said heel plate being attached to said heel, a top lift, and an attaching plate secured to said top lift and having the terminal portions thereof bent to form longitudinally extending spring leaves substantially V-shapedin cross-section and adapted to extend through said slots to allow the ends of said leaves toflatly contact with the inner surface of said heel plate, the walls of said slots being provided with V-shaped notches for the passage of a pointed instrument into engagement with said leaves to disengage the leaves from the inner surface of said "heel plate, said attaching plate being provided'with spaced parallel transversely bowed spring arms for pressure contact with the outer sides of said heel plate to cooperate with said attaching leavesin resisting shifting of the top lift with respect to said heel, said leaves being in engagement with the end walls of said transverse openings.

5. In ashoe, a heel, a heel plate attached thereto having transverse slots, the walls of said slots being provided with shoulders, a top lift and an attaching plate secured to said top lift and having the end portions thereof provided with attaching leaves substantially V-shaped in cro-ss-section and positioned entirely within said slots, the ends f said leaves being engaged with said shoulers.

6. In a shoe, a heel having sockets, a heel plate attached to the heel and having transverse slots registering with said sockets, aY

top lift, and an attaching plate having a body embedded in said top lift and being provided at opposite ends thereof with attaching leaves approximately V-shaped in cross section and adapted to extend through said slots and into said sockets to allow the ends of the leaves to contact with the inner surface of said heel plate.

In testimony whereof I aiiix my signa- 

